Program to rehabilitate offenders

THABAZIMBI – The Department of Correctional Services, in conjunction with NGO’s (Non-governmental Organizations), has introduced a spiritual and personal counseling program for offenders who were sentenced to correctional services in the community.

The rehabilitation of offenders is not only the responsibility of the Correctional Services, but the community must also play an integrate role in the rehabilitation of offenders back into society.

Offenders are not the product of Correctional Services but a product of the society and the community from where they come, said mr Wimpie de Koker, Head of Office at Thabazimbi Correctional Services to Kwêvoël.

Along this way the Correctional Services, make use of NGO’s and other Departments to present programs to all offenders who are either instructed by courts or parole boards to undergo a certain rehabilitation program.

In Thabazimbi Mr. Winché Hoffman, does all spiritual and personal counseling to offenders. On a bi-monthly basis, counseling is done during consultation with offenders. Certain offenders are also attending programs at the Department of Health and Welfare programs such as anger management, life skills, and drug and alcohol abuse are also presented to offenders to enable them to be law abiding citizens of this community.

Interested parties to assist in this program presentation can direct enquiries to the office on 014 777 1009 or 082 416 9887.

The officers of the Correctional Services who are in charge of the programs and rehabilitation of offenders, from left to right: Winché Hoffman, Wimpie de Koker, Phillip Motlhake en Paul Hattingh.